SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

Attraction & Entertainment Solutions (A&ES) has completed a major site installation for Merlin Entertainment PLC, a global leader in entertainment and visitor attraction complexes. A&ES provided various components within the SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, including the magnificent floor-to-ceiling shark shipwreck scene of which encompasses ceiling beams, walls, textured flooring plants, netting and rope, even ship props that were painted as if each was just discovered after having been sunken for hundreds of years at the bottom of the sea.

The retail area of this project features an A&ES fabricated yellow submarine projecting out into the visitor area providing a well-recognized focal point where one finds distressed wood dividers, pipes and sea-creature-cutouts welcoming guests into the queue lines as well as themed wooden frames for LCD TVs’ 3D authentic “under-the-sea” barnacles, including anemones and coral. Suspended from above, the illuminated dangling jellyfish and cumulous clouds on the ceiling add whimsy and fun focal points. Wood-clad frames on the big tank bring the eye to the wood fencing and crates, as well as LCD frames encompassing the video monitors above where the visitor participates in the touch pools. Lighting imagery provides floor vistas blending into the overall blue-themed underbelly of the sea.

Whimsical aluminum sea grass offers multi-color visual accents. Coconut palm trees are replicated with preserved leaves for the stingray area. Mangrove trees represent the massive Florida Everglades area, paying tribute to one of the most important natural sanctuaries on earth.

Ancient Mayan-ruin accents are found in the underwater sculpture adding to the storytelling of the mysteries that lie underneath our oceans with a focus on historic vistas.

Fiberglass-themed benches feature Pacific Ocean scenery, which lead to the distressed wood-themed painted door that opens to the wood fencing and flooring on the final exit ramp.

A&ES provided in-depth research and analysis of Merlin Entertainment’s goals and requirements in order to develop, fabricate and install specific visual products after a full assessment of the preliminary space plans. A&ES provided project management services, including extensive preparation of project budgets and complex schedules, followed by the final preparation of the construction documents of which required adherence to the regional building and fire codes.

Under the scrutiny of Merlin Entertainment, A&ES provided the technical expertise of its staff to take the visitor on an experience of a lifetime as each was transported back through time to have a personal and/or family experiential adventure worthy of the Merlin brand.

“We are proud to have been part of the world-class SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium,” says John Oldham.

“Custom designs are our specialty, and we have leaders to coordinate the expert engineers and staff to complete the architectural design requirements and the design/build staff to bring it to completion, while creating an extraordinary visitor experience that is of high-value for parents and kids as they participate in an intense visitor experience at one of the world’s most well-known attractions.”

A&ES is recognized for leadership in the industry as it continues to provide dynamic multi-disciplined, theming work that is world-class and its signature is well known in the global, national and regional clients market.

Rendering of Sea Life Aquarium Orlando

Services Performed

Research and analysis of the client’s goals and requirements

Assessment of preliminary space plans

Provision of Project Management services including preparation of project budgets and schedules

Preparation of construction documents, consisting of plans, details and specifications

Preparation of construction documents to adhere to regional building and fire codes